By Celeste StevensFriday 22 Dec 2023Brendan and DanniebelleStation NewsReading Time: 5 minutes
Today, Hope Breakfast co-host Ally Barnes says a final farewell to her Hopeland family and team she’s worked with for almost a decade.
Monday, 18 December 2023
After a decade of dedicated service, Ally Barnes has made the heartfelt decision to resign. Ally Barnes announced live on air this morning that she will finish up on Hope Breakfast this Friday to spend more time with her husband Sean, and young sons.
“After seven years of being part of the Breakfast show, and a 3.50am alarm clock, I’m tuckered out. And my husband and beautiful sons are not getting the best version of me,” Ally said through tears.
“I’m sure the novelty of making lunch boxes will wear off pretty quickly but I want to have breakfast with my babies and do school drop-offs. And I want to sit on the couch and watch a series with my husband and stay up till 10pm!”
Hope Breakfast always looking their best.
In 2013, Ally started at Hope 103.2 as the Events and Promotions Coordinator. In 2016 she became the first producer of Hope Breakfast, and landed the presenting job, alongside co-host Brendan Jaensch in 2021.
Ally’s last show will be on the 22nd of December.
“I feel such sadness and grief about leaving. But I have a total sense of peace and conviction that this is the right move for my family.”
Photo: Ally with Breakfast team Sam Robinson, Duncan Robinson and Georgia Free; Ally with her husband Sean and two sons.
“I feel such sadness and grief about leaving. But I have a total sense of peace and conviction that this is the right move for my family.”
Listen to Ally’s Announcement on Hope Breakfast in the player above.
Chatting with Ally
You’ve made an important choice for your family…
Ally: Being part of Hope Brekky has been such an honour and one of the greatest joys of my life. But after 7 years of waking at 3:50am, I’m exhausted, and I know that the most important people in my life are not getting the best version of me. In this precious time, with the boys aged 3 and 5, I’m missing the incidental chaos of the morning. I want to make lunches and do school drop off. Even though I’m with them in the afternoons, I’m always exhausted and hate being ‘ships in the night’ with Sean. To take on another year of early starts I think I would’ve been heading towards burnout. I want to have more energy and capacity for the 3 most important people in my life.
What will be some of the memories of your time at Hopeland?
Ally: Some of the proudest contributions I’ve made have been because of the response of listeners. We are part of such a generous listening community that cares deeply about one another and people beyond these borders. I am so proud of my contribution in highlighting the important work of CBM, Compassion, Feed the Hungry, SUFM, and many other wonderful organisations practically making this world better. I get to help tell the stories, and the response from the Hope fam always blows my mind. This community of listeners really care.
What’s one thing God has taught you here?
Ally: To trust that He will equip me to what He calls me to. I came here 10 years ago to do Events and Promotions having never had any events experience – apart from my own wedding – but God equipped me for that role. And then with producing. And then stepping way, way outside my comfort zone with hosting – I ran from the plan when it was just a thought bubble! Now, looking back to see how far He’s brought me and the brekky show in terms of my own confidence and talent. It was terrifying and I had a big case of ‘Imposter syndrome’ but He really has equipped me and put people around me who have taught me so much. Now I’m so thankful than I can trust Him stepping into the next season that He’s going to equip me for that.
This is the mantra I’ve clung to these last 2 years: “God uses us and our best efforts – and in spite of them”!
Highlights from across Ally’s time at Hope 103.2
If your replacement was here now, what would you say to them?
Ally: This is the mantra I’ve clung to these last 2 years: “God uses us and our best efforts – and in spite of them”! We have an incredibly gracious audience – you will drop balls and say things you didn’t intend – but God will honour all your efforts. In spite of our best – or worst – foot being put forward – He has a way of working in people’s hearts that we’ll never fully understand. We get to be a voice of hope for a season – and it’s a privilege – but God was in this place before I was and it’s about Him and His story and we’re a part of it. So, whoever steps in, remember: God will equip you. Also, double shots of coffee!
How can we pray for you?
Ally: That this next season will be a time of energy renewal, for my capacity and energy as mum and wife. And that the novelty of making lunch boxes won’t wear off too quickly. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity I have had to be a voice of Hope for this season. I will really miss it. I know God will honour this conviction I have to prioritise my family, but I would love you to join me in praying for the transition period and that God will send the right person for this next season of Hope Breakfast.